Thill-coupling



(No Model.)

G. O. BOSTWIGK.

THILL COUPLING.

No. 385,589. Patented July 3, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

GEORGE C. BOS'IWVIOK, OF THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN.

THlLL-COUPLlNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 38 ,589, dated July 3,1888.

Application filed March 15, 1887. Renewed February 2t], 1888. Serial No.264,651. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonen G. Bosrwroma citizen of the United States,residing at Three Oaks, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan,have invented a new and useful Shaft and Pole Coupling for Vehicles,ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to couplings for vehicle shafts and poles such asare used to attach the same to the front vehicleaxle or some crosspieceof the vehicle, and has for its object to provide devices whereby theshafts or pole may be easily and readily attached and without the use ofremovable parts, and in such manner as to be free from rattling andmaking a noise during use. These objects I accomplish by means of themechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l isa plan view of the coupling and the axle to which it is attached. Fig. 2is a side view thereof; Fig. 3, a front view thereof with the shaft-ironand internal cushion removed. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of thecoupling-piece proper, showing the shape of its inner aperture. Figs. 5,6, and 7 are detail views of the cushion.

Like parts are indicated by the same letter in all the figures.

A is the axle; B, a plate secured to the axle by the clamp C. On theforward end of the plate B is the hollowed portion D, having the slot Eon one side to admit oneleg of the clamp O, and the slot F in front topermit the passage of the shaft or pole iron G, and also havingthecylindrical transverse aperture H, the slot therefrom, J, and thechamber K. This chamber K is larger in cross-section at the rear than atthe front, as shown in Fig. 4, and it islarger at the bottom than at thetop,as shown in Fig. 3.

L is a cushion,formed of rubber or other suitable material, having thebeveled forward end M. Now, this cushion is first introduced into thechamberK, and, being shaped,as shown in Fig. 6, to correspond with thecrosssection of the chamber K, it is retained in such chamber fromupward motion, being,so to speak, dovetailed. The shaft or poleiron,having the bolt N at its inner end, is inserted into the portion Dby carrying its outer end downward and inserting the bolt N through thecylindrical aperture H and theinner end of the iron G through the slotJ. In this position the bolt N bears upon and compresses the cushion Las it lies on the bottom of the chamber K. This compression swells theinner end of the cushionL and causes it to conform to the enlarged innerend of the chamber K, thus filling the same on tirely and preventing thecushion L from sliding forward out of the chamber K. The iron G is thenraised and brought into proper position for use. This position bringsthe shank well above the slot J, so that it can never slide out of theaperture F, and thus the shaft or pole is securely held from lateralmotion. At the same time it is hinged orjournaled to the part D by meansof the bolt N, which engages the cylindrical aperture H. It iseffectually prevented from rattling by the cushion L,which is somewhathigher as it lies in the chamberK than the bottom of the aperture H, sothat it must be compressed as the shaft or pole end is forced in.

In the case of two shafts, they are coupled together by the cross-pieceand attached to the axle or other cross-tree by couplings, which opentoward the same side.

The coupling-piece D may be attached in any suitable manner, as shown orotherwise, to any suitable cross-piece of the vehicle-as the axle.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: When theportion Dwith theplate is attached to the cross piece or axle A by the clamp G,the cushion L is inserted from the front into the chamber K, its beveledsides engaging the oppositely-beveled sides of such chamber and itsbeveled end M being toward the front. In this position it is adapted torise slightly above the bottom of the transverse cylindrical aperture H.The shaft or tongue is now brought into position, and its pin or bolt Nis inserted in the aperture H, its shank passing through the slot Juntil the shank has reached the aperture F, at which time the bolt Nwill have passed completely into the aperture H and will have engagedboth sides of the part D, and the shaft-iron G may then be raised intothe slot F; thus it is ready for use. If it is desired to remove theshafts, it is only necessary to press them downward until the shank ofthe securing-iron G can be moved laterally through the slot J, and

this can be done with great ease and rapidity. The shank while in usecannot be moved laterally, neither can it rattle enough to make anynoise, for it is securely held into position by the sides of theaperture F and by the elastic pressure of the elastic cushion L.

I claim- 1. In a shaft-coupling, a coupling-piece internally recessed,its recess having a greater width within than at its mouth, incombination with a cushion which, when pressure is applied, fills theback of the recess, and is then held securely in place.

2. In a shaft-coupling,acoupling-piccehaving an internal recess wider atthe bottom than at the top, in combination with a cushion having beveledsides, so that the same is held when in the recess from upward motion.

3. In acoupling for shafts, a coupling-piece having an internalcushionreceiving recess, transverse aperture, and a downwardly inclinedslot therefrom through one side, with a shaft-iron having atrausversebolt,so thatwhen the shaft is greatly depressed its iron canbe introduced through the slot into the transverse aperture, so as to behinged into position.

GEORGE O. BOSTWIOK. Vituesses:

FRANCES W. PARKER, 001m L. CADWALLADER.

